National Republican., 1887-10-22
The Labor Movement in South Caro-
lima.

INA.
The Charleston News and Courier Is very
much disturbed at the action Of the Uniteu
Labor party, because Mr.. Benjamin Adams,
president Of that organization, has d,-
clared in a public manner, that the Demo.
cratic party Of that state exists without
vital issues, outlives its usefulness, and Is
now but corrupt machine manipulated
for the benefit Of inscriptions politicians,
and that desired reforms can only be car
ried out by the formation OF new party.
He says: sour brother workers through
out the state are invited to organize on the
lines indicated, and invites the co-operd-
tion of all good citizens tired of ring rule"
He says, further, "that the thieving has
been going on long enough, and we mean
to stop it,"
This declaration Of Mr.. Adams's has ex.
cited the ire of the Charleston NtWs and
Courier and its English editor to such au
extent that he is denouncing the labor Or
ganization Of the state and Mr.. Adams, as
the head Of 1t, as being In combination
with the Republicans of South Carolina to
overturn the Democratic oligarchy which
now controls that state.
We know nothing Of Mr.. Adams or of his
Intentions, but 1t is a patent fact known to
all men, undenied by none who have the
slightest regard for veracity, that South
Carolina has for years been ruled by small
minority, even of the white people of the
state; that this minority dictates every
nomination and every so. called election,
and makes of these elections q roaring
farce, which, IL played upon the stage of a
comedy theater, would excite more mirth-
fullness, II 1t were not for the strain of
tragedy that the thoughtful man can see
beneath 1t. than any other OF the farces
which now have the boards.
II Mr.. Adams, as the head Of labor Or
ganization, composed OF white or white and
colored workers, is endeavoring TO break
down this oligarchy, which condemns all
labor in the state to the condition of servile
labor, no matter whether the akin OF the
laborer be white or black, then the Ma
TIoNAL REPUBLICAN bids Mr.. Adams God
speed in his good work; and every laborlng
man In the United States--every man who
regards the institutions OF the country and
desires to see them continued should unite
not only In wishing the success OF Mr..
Adams, but in furtherlng 1t; for the danger
Of servlle labor as now conducted In South
Carolinaand other southern states Is the
great threat to the institutions Of this
country.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has more
than once said that this serylle system Of
labor can best be broken up through or
ganized laboritself. That large and power
full organization known US the Knights OF
Labor, those other organizations called
trade unions, should look to it, for their
own protection, that this system of labor is
destroyed. 1t comes in competition with
their free labor, and prevents them from
obtaining what they claim they should OBJ
tain, the full proceeds OF their labor.
We know not what organization Mr..
Adams is member o I, but we do know
that every lahoring organization In the
United States should unite to assist him,
and that all the more readily because the
Charleston NciOs anil Courier, the organ Of
the British free traders and the South Caro-
lima oligarcby, edited, owned, and CON
trolled by blockade runner of the war, Is
denouncing Mr., Adam, for his action.